IS THERE a potential link between tattoo ink exposure and an increased risk of certain cancers? Using data from the recently established Danish Twin Tattoo Cohort, a recent study aimed to examine whether tattoo ink, contributes to chronic inflammation and abnormal cell proliferation. This could potentially raise the risk of cancer, especially skin cancer and lymphoma. The findings from both cohort and case-control twin studies reveal increased cancer risks in tattooed individuals, suggesting a need for further research on the subject. A key finding is that larger tattoos are associated with an increased risk of skin cancer and lymphoma.
The study employed two complementary twin study designs to control for confounding variables: a cohort study with 2,367 randomly selected twins and a case-control study involving 316 twins born between 1960 and 1996. Cancer diagnoses were retrieved from the Danish Cancer Registry, while tattoo exposure data were collected through the 2021 Danish Twin Tattoo Survey.
Results showed a significant increase in the risk of skin cancer and lymphoma for tattooed individuals. In the case-control study, tattooed participants had a higher risk of skin cancer (excluding basal cell carcinoma) (hazard ratio [HR] 1.62; 95% CI: 1.08–2.41), and large tattoos (larger than the palm of the hand) were particularly associated with increased hazards (HR 2.37 [95% CI: 1.11–5.06] for skin cancer, and HR 2.73 [95% CI: 1.33–5.60] for lymphoma). Similarly, the cohort study revealed a higher risk of skin cancer and basal cell carcinoma in tattooed individuals (HR 3.91; 95% CI: 1.42–10.8 and HR 2.83; 95% CI: 1.30–6.16). These results suggest that tattoo ink exposure may significantly increase the risk of these cancers.
In conclusion, the study suggests that tattoo ink exposure may contribute to an elevated risk of skin cancer and lymphoma. While the results provide valuable insights, the authors note limitations, including the inability to measure all potential confounding factors like sun exposure or smoking habits. Additionally, the study did not find strong evidence linking tattoo ink exposure to bladder or urinary tract cancers. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms behind the oncogenic potential of tattoo ink.
Reference
Clemmensen SB. Tattoo ink exposure is associated with lymphoma and skin cancers – a Danish study of twins. BMC Public Health. 2025;25(1):170
